Combination tie clasp and key



March 13, 1956 J FALK CQMBINATION TIE CLASP AND KEY Filedv June 22, 1954 M m D. H w

JNVENTOR.

United St tes Pe fi 2,737,698 COMBINATION TIE CLASP AND KEY Joel D. Falk, Leominster, Mass., assignor to Independent Lock Co., Fitchburg, Mass.

This invention relates to a novel combination tie clasp and key and has for its primary object the provision of a highly effective and ornamental tie clasp which can be utilized in an emergency as a key.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a combination tie clasp and key which is easily assembled in a novel manner after the key has been cut by the locksmith. This enables various types, shapes and sizes of keys to be utilized in combination with a suitable U-shaped member and associated resiliently mounted jaw so that a key for a particular lock can be selected by a purchaser for utilization in a combination tie clasp and key.

A further object of the invention resides in the combination tie clasp and key which has an arrangement of parts whereby the combination cuts formed on the key will form a convoluted upper surface for the tie clasp which will aid in grasping the tie.

'Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a combined tie clasp and key that is strong and durable, simple in construction and manufacture, highly ornamental in appearance, and capable of being formed from various readily available materials and which may be easily plated if desired with any suitable precious metal.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this combined tie clasp and key, a preferred embodiment of which has beenillustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure 1 is a pictorial illustration depicting the combination tie clasp and key in use;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the invention;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view as taken along the plane of line 3 -3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view as taken along the plane of line 4-4 in Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the Ushaped element and associated jaw which is adapted to be attached to the key after the locksmith has made the combination cuts therein.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral generally designates the combination tie clasp and key comprising the present invention. The key 12 is first provided and may be formed of any suitable metal which is then gold or silver plated or otherwise ornamented as may be desired. The combination cuts 14 are then made by a locksmith in the upper edge thereof. The combination cuts 14 form a surface which will securely grasp the cloth of a tie 16 so as to more securely maintain the tie in its desired position.

The key 12 has a head portion 18 provided with a dovetailed shaped groove 20 therein. Seated within the groove by the locksmith after the combination cuts 14 have been made is a substantially U-shaped member 22 forming a clasp which has a lug 24 struck therefrom for engaging the peripheral edge 26 of the head portion of the key surrounding the aperture 28 extending through the head portion 18 in alignment with the groove 20.

The U-shaped portion 22 is formed with a pair of eyes 30 and a pintle 32 is mounted so as to extend through the eyes 30 while also extending through cars 34 on a jaw 36 provided with teeth 38 which extend inwardly toward the key 12. V I

The pintle 32 may be headed so as to retain the pintle in position and a coil spring 40 is positioned concentrically thereabout with the end portions 42 and 44 extending through a slot 46 in the U-shaped member 22 and engaging the U-shaped member 22 while the end 44 engages a projection 48 forming a handle on the jaw 36. The spring 40 thus continuously urges the jaw 36 towards the key 12.

In use, it is merely necessary to depress the handle 48 to open the jaw 36 to permit the combination tie clasp and key to be operatively emplaced. Likewise, pressure on the handle 48 will enable the invention to be removed.

When the U-shaped member 22 is positioned in the dovetail shaped groove 20, the locksmith may peen the edges of the groove as at 50 into overlying relationship relative to the U-shaped member 22 to thereby frictionally grasp the U-shaped member to prevent relative movement of the U-shaped member and the key 12. This achieves greater security.

It is to be recognized that this invention is adapted for distribution in various manners. A locksmith could sell the completely cut key and clasp combination as a unit. Additionally, the invention may also be sold through channels such as haberdashery stores, etc., in which case the cylinder key blank would be sold along with the clasp in which case the purchaser could wear the key uncut or more likely, take it subsequently to a locksmith for cutting the combination as necessar From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A combination tie clasp and key comprising a key, a substantially U-shaped member secured to said key, a jaw pivotally attached to said U-shaped member, and resilient means urging said jaw against said key, said key having a head portion, a groove in said head portion, said U-shaped member having a portion thereof received in said groove, said key having an aperture through said head portion thereof, said aperture being in alignment with said groove, and a lug outwardly extending from said U-shaped member engaging said key in said aperture.

2. A combination tie clasp and key comprising a key, a substantially U-shaped member secured to said key, a jaw pivotally attached to said U-shaped member, and resilient means urging said jaw against said key, said key having a head portion, a groove in said head portion, said U-shaped member having a portion thereof received in said groove, said groove being dovetail in shape and having the edges thereof overlying and frictionally engaging said U-shaped member, said key having an aperture through said head portion thereof, said aperture being in alignment with said groove, and a lug outwardly extending from said U-shaped member engaging said key in said aperture. I

3. A combination tie clasp and key comprising a key, a substantially U-shaped member secured to said key, a

Patented Mar. 13, 1956.

jaw pivotally attached to said U-shaped member, and re silienrm'eansurgingsaidjaw against said key; said jaw having a pair of ears extending outwardly therefrom, said ueshaped member.having a pair-o f eye members attached thereto, a pintletextending throughsaidears and, said eye members pivotally attaching said. jaw to said eye rneinbers and aspring coiled about saidpintle and ha'ving end portions thereof engaging said jaw and sa'idU-shaped member urging said jaw against said key,

said key having a head portion, a groove in said head portion, said U-shaped member having a portion thereoi received in said groove, said key having an aperture through said head portion thereof, said aperture. being in alignment with said groove, an d'av1ug outwardly ex- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Tebbetts Nov. 6, 1923 Mix Sept. 11, 1934 Mix .Apr, 21; 1936 Cobb Nov, 10, 193 6 Walsh Feb. '11, 1941 Bliek Mar. 29, 1949 Mix Jan; 1-,:.1952 

